The Grand Slam in Golf: All Winners, Majors and the Story of the Tiger Slam

The Grand Slam in Golf considered the ultimate achievement. Whoever wins all four major tournaments secures a place in the Olympus of sport. But what exactly does the term mean? Is a Grand Slam only valid if it is achieved in a single year? In this article, we look at the story, the different variants, and the legendary players who have achieved this feat.

What is the Grand Slam in golf? A definition

In modern golf, the Grand Slam means winning the four most important tournaments — the so-called gulf Majors — within a single calendar year.

The four pillars of the modern Grand Slam

To complete the Grand Slam, a professional must win the following tournaments today (usually in this time order):

1. The Masters Tournament: In April at Augusta National Golf Club (USA).
2. PGA Championship: In May at various locations in the USA.
3. U.S. Open: In June at various locations in the USA.
4. The Open Championship: In July on one of the legendary links courses in Great Britain.

The origin: Bobby Jones and the “indomitable square”

The term “Grand Slam” originally comes from the card game Bridge and was first used in 1930 by journalist O.B. Keeler. Back then, the amateur Bobby Jones The impossible to this day: He won all four major titles relevant at the time in one season.

Back then, however, there were other tournaments among the majors:

• The Amateur Championship (UK)
• The Open Championship (UK)
• U.S. Open (USA)
• U.S. Amateur (USA)

Bobby Jones is still the only player in history who Calendar Grand Slam (all titles in one year) succeeded.

Career Grand Slam: The List of Legends

Since the power density in modern golf is extremely high, today it is mostly used by Career Grand Slam spoken. A player has won all four modern majors at least once in the course of their entire career. So far, only six exceptional players have succeeded in doing so:

Overview: Career Grand Slam winner (Modern Era)

Special forms: The “Tiger Slam”

At the turn of the millennium, Tiger Woods for a new definition of dominance. Between 2000 and 2001, he won the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, the PGA Championship and finally the Masters in 2001.

Since he had all four major trophies at the same time but did not win in the same calendar year, the sports world christened this achievement the “Tiger Slam”. It is the closest approximation to Bobby Jones' record in the modern era.

Why is the Grand Slam in golf so difficult today?

The hunt for the Grand Slam often fails due to the enormous variance of places. While that Masters It takes place in the same square (Augusta) every year, require U.S. Open extreme precision play in tough conditions and The Open mastering wind and weather on coastal areas.

There were also logistical hurdles in the past. In 1953, Ben Hogan was unable to complete the calendar Grand Slam purely physically, as the PGA Championship and qualification for the British Open overlapped in time.

Who will be next?

The Grand Slam remains the ultimate measure of greatness. While legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods achieved the milestone several times, current top stars such as Scottie Scheffler (missing the U.S. Open) or Jordan Spieth (missing the PGA Championship) are still waiting for the last piece of the puzzle.

One thing is certain: Every time a player wins the first two majors of the year, the “Grand Slam fever” in the golf world starts anew.

FAQ: Common questions about Grand Slam in Golf

Here you will find answers to the most important questions about the most prestigious achievement in golf.

Who won the Grand Slam in golf?

In the classical sense (all four majors in a calendar year), only Bobby Jones won the Grand Slam in 1930. In the modern era, six players have the Career Grand Slam achieved: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

What is the difference between Grand Slam and Career Grand Slam?

The Grand Slam refers to the winnings of all four majors within a single calendar year. The Career Grand Slam means that a player has won each of the four major tournaments at least once in the course of their entire playing career.

Did Tiger Woods win the Grand Slam?

Tiger Woods has the Career Grand Slam even completed three times. He did not reach the calendar Grand Slam, but after winning the Masters in 2001, he held all four major titles at the same time. This performance went as “Tiger Slam” into the story.

Which tournaments are part of the Grand Slam?

The modern Grand Slam consists of four major championships:

1. The Masters (Augusta National)
2. PGA Championship
3. U.S. Open
4. The Open Championship (British Open)

Which major is Rory McIlroy missing from the Grand Slam?

Rory McIlroy More than ten years after he had won the US Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship, the US Masters was still missing for the Carrer Grand Slam. In 2025, he won the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta National Golf Club, becoming the first European to complete the Grand Slam in golf.

Were there any other Grand Slam tournaments before?

Yes Before the founding of the Masters (1934), the national amateur championships (U.S. Amateur and British Amateur), together with the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, were counted as the four majors of the Grand Slam.